You can’t keep a good horse down for too long. Antipodean showed just that today.

Beaten favourite in all three starts since his comeback this season under a new handler, the Derryn four-year-old bounced back in style to win the Supreme A field over 1400m at Sungai Besi today.

Antipodean won nine of his 10 starts, including the Selangor Gold Cup (1600m), and finished second in the other last year.

A first-up second to former stablemate Witnessimpact over 1200m was followed by a third to Pacific Padrino in the Chinese New Year Prosperity Trophy (1600m).

In the Tunku Gold Cup three weeks ago, Antipodean flashed home too late to catch Noah Khan. That was over 1200m and with extra 200m to travel today, punters went to town again on the Australian gelding.

Antipodean repaid their faith, but not before some anxious moments in the running.

Ridden for the first time by Wong Kam Chong, Antipodean settled third last early in a compact field with Hurricane setting the early pace.

The field spread out when they turned off the back straight and Antipodean found himself further behind from the leaders.

Faithful Leader headed Hurricane at the 800m and they led from Arigato and Big Union. Antipodean was now seven lengths off the leading pair but hugging the rails.

Making the turn into home straight, Antipodean managed to creep up on the leaders but with no clear path ahead, Wong had to switch his mount out twice. First instance behind the heels of Golden Pegasus, the second time behind the heels of Big Union.

Meanwhile, Faithful Leader beat off Hurricane and was holding Big Union and Golden Pegasus at bay.

After getting into the clear, Antipodean was trying to find his rhythm and still had to make up about three lengths on Faithful Leader at the 200m.

But soon, Antipodean found his strides and swept past them with ease to win by half a length from Faithful Leader. Hurricane fought on gallantly for third.

“I thought he (Antipodean) has early speed but I was wrong,” said Wong.

“In the straight, I couldn’t find any room so I had to switch him out. He hung in a little bit when we got in the clear but fortunately he could still run on and win the race.”

“He is an exceptional horse, they way he won today,” said Tiang Kim Choi who was saddling just his second winner of the year after a very slow start to the season.

“I will see how he settle down after the race and plan his next race.”

“I hope to win more races for his owner Yee Kin Kong who transferred his string of horses to me at the end of last year.”